BHD, you are now lumping in rec all stars with travel. It seems your stance is softening.
Rec all stars is rec. LL all stars could be as few as two games if the team losses those first two games. I do not consider rec all stars as travel baseball. If a kid plays only rec and all stars he is a rec player. Exactly what my son did through 12 years old and it didn't hinder him whatsoever.